Sit. Up. Toe loop. Arabesque.

Artyom kept his eyes closed as the words echoed in his head. His feet and arms followed through instinctively, the glitter of the uniform glinting in the rink's lights. However as peaceful as his expression appeared, internally Artyom was seething.

Why the fuck did I accept? He thought with annoyance as he landed an axel. Partner skating? What the hell was I even thinking?

It had been ages since Artyom had skated with a partner- since he his early teens actually. Everyone talked about how team work made the dream work or whatever. But Artyom knew from experience that wasn't true. Having a skating partner always held him down.

Countless times he had entered competitions with his partner, competitions which would have made his rise to greatness so much faster. But every single time. Third. Second. Fourth. Second.

So then he dropped pair skating entirely and what would you know? He got gold every time.

Yet here he is. About to risk ruining his streak. No- not even risk. He probably would.

There was only one person he would maybe even consider doing that for.

When Artyom's little brother called him up, begging him to do him a favor, he couldn't refuse. How could he when Lev was practically sobbing into the phone, whining about how he'd broken his ankle and left his little partner to have to make up a solo routine. Unless Artyom stepped in and took Lev's place.

Lev had gone on and on about how amazing they were. About how their spins and jumps left even him in shock. Of course, Artyom's expectations were far lower than Lev was trying to set them up to be. Artyom knew his twin better than anyone- he was too easy on everyone. Too easily impressed. The poor sucker could probably see a slug in ice skates and think it to be worthy of a gold medal.

"Artym!"

Speak of the devil.

Artyom whirled around, taking out his air pods as he scanned the rink. And there was his brother, lumbering towards the edge. He was leaning on those crutches like a lifeline, yet somehow he was still smiling bright as ever. Artyom doesn't know how the idiot does it. If Artyom broke his ankle and lost the ability to ice skate. Even just temporarily... he doesn't know what he'd do.

An actual, genuine smile graces Artyom's lips as he skates over to the edge. Reaching out, he ruffles Lev's hair, snickering at the way his twin pouts.

"Hey there младший брат (little brother). It's been far too long."

Lev lets out a laugh, pushing away Artyom's hand. "Артем, ты меня смущаешь...... (Artyom, you're embarrassing me...)"

Artyom raises a brow as he notices the flush on Lev's face, tilting his head to look at the person behind Lev.

Ah. That must be my new partner.

"You must be them." Artyom smile tightens. His gaze is cold, more analytical than friendly as he looks them over.

"My brother has praised you and your abilities. Almost talked my ear off doing so actually. I'm looking forward to seeing if you'll be able to keep up." The lightness of Artyom's voice makes it sound like a joke. It's not.

Let's see how badly this one will dissapoint.